Myanmar (Burma) is a Southeast Asian nation of mountains, rivers and fertile plains, dotted with golden Buddhist stupas, especially the more than 2,000 temples of the ancient capital of Bagan.
Geography & landscape
Myanmar sits in South-Eastern Asia, in the northern hemisphere of Asia. With an area of approximately 676,578 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Naypyidaw, lies near coordinates 22°, 98°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Asia, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider South-Eastern Asia region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Myanmar.
People & society
The population of Myanmar is around 54M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is Burmese, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Myanmar is structured as a provisional military government. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Naypyidaw, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Myanmar is the Myanmar Kyat (MMK). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Naypyidaw and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Myanmar shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Myanmar through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Naypyidaw, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +95, and clocks are set to the MMT (UTC+6:30) time zone. ISO standards identify Myanmar as MM (alpha-2) and MMR (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇲🇲, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Naypyidaw | — |
| Continent | Asia | — |
| Sub-region | South-Eastern Asia | — |
| Population | 54M | people |
| Area | 676,578 | km² |
| Currency | Myanmar Kyat (MMK) | — |
| Calling code | +95 | international dialling |
| Time zone | MMT (UTC+6:30) | standard time |
| Government type | Provisional military government | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | MM | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | MMR | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 22 | degrees |
| Longitude | 98 | degrees |
Did you know?
Bagan in Myanmar contains over 2,000 surviving Buddhist temples and pagodas, built between the 9th and 13th centuries.
